IS THIS A FRENCE BEAKER?

[niceguy1]

HELLO

I’m wondering if this beaker is French & made by Jules Guetin? It appears to me to be older than 1880 & also why are there no other hallmarks?

THANKS

[JayT]

Yes, this is the mark for Guétin; successor was his son-in-law Édouard Ernie.

The style and decoration look right for late 19thC.

Reasons there is no silver standard mark (Minerva head):
o You haven’t found it yet;
o The mark on the rim of the beaker where you’d expect to find it has been covered over by a repair. Your picture looks blurry on my monitor so I can’t see if the rim has been repaired, but that is a good possibility;
o The beaker was part of a set and only some of the items were marked.

Hope this helps.

[WarrenKundis]

Hi Niceguy,

Believe I see something that may be a very rubbed out Minerva rectangle. Looking at the monogram as a clock face, at 4 or 5 o'clock at the edge. If your looking at the bottom image, follow the left point of the makers mark lozenge up and around. It's very very faint.

Warren

[JayT]

Umm…no. Minerva is never found in a rectangle. She is punched in an octagonal reserve for 950 standard silver and in a barrel-shaped reserve for 800 standard silver. In addition, placement of the Minerva head mark is regulated. After 1838 she must be stamped on the outside of the rim of beakers. See Tardy, 20th edition pp. 217-238 for a full discussion of placement of marks after 1838.

[WarrenKundis]

Thank you Jay, that is fascinating.

Unfortunately have very limited access to any form of resources except online. Every object posted here is an opportunity to advance my/our knowledge.

With that thought in mind, the surface on this beaker does appear extremely worn. If Niceguy would be so kind to provide us with a few more images along the rim would be very interested to find out what it says about the history of this particular beaker.

Warren

[niceguy1]

Thanks both for your input.

Jay your first hunch was correct. I have now polished the beaker & I found the well worn & quite well hidden Minerva head.

[JayT]

Then all is well.

[WarrenKundis]

Excellent, Jay shouldn't there be a bigorne mark right on the opposite side of the Minerva? May have been completely polished out.

W

[naina1st]

The maker is Jules Guetin Paris, 7 rue Reaumur, 1880-1882


Patronyme(s) Guetin
prénom (Etat civil) Jules
Initiales J.G.
Profession Fabricant bijoutier
Lieu(x) d'activité 75
Paris
Adresse de l'atelier 7 rue Réaumur
N° de garantie A9309
N° de préfecture pas de numéro
Date d'insculpation 9 décembre 1880
Date de biffage 7 août 1882
Symboles une guêtre
Crédits photo Lebée, D. - © Inventaire général, ADAGP, 2000
REFERENCE PG002635

[niceguy1]

Many thanks.